Chapter 34 #3
They huddle closer to the television, finding their spot near Pat and Santiago.
Their hands are free, not holding any drinks anymore, thankfully.
So Ray goes for it—he throws his arm around Gene’s shoulders.
Gene chuckles and goes for it too, reaching his own arm around Ray’s back and grabbing his waist, keeping him close.
It not only feels great touching him like this, but it also helps them see better, holding each other steady. A win-win.
As the final musical number of 1976 concludes, there’s only seconds remaining of the current year. A countdown begins as the glittery ball lowers, and everyone in the room chants along with it—
“Five…”
“Four…”
“Three…”
“Two…”
“One…”
Party poppers burst, filling the room with confetti.
“HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
Ray hugs Gene tighter as the room explodes with cheers.
They laugh along with the rest of everyone clapping, excitement filling the air.
Gene tugs on Ray’s waist, shaking him a little as the energy flows through them all.
Ray’s chest feels so light, so full, so goddamn happy, he turns his face toward Gene and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Ray!” Gene giggles, his smile lighting up the room.
“Happy New Year, Gene.” Ray smiles back. “Happy I get to spend it with you.”
Gene’s eyes shine, giving Ray butterflies. “I can say the same. Happy New Year, Ray.”
“Hey, hey! We’re almost on!” Santi shouts over everyone’s cheers, directing attention to the television again.
The first song of 1977 is one by the Dusty Brooms themselves: ‘Nothin’ Can Hold Me Down’.
The fast-paced tempo and groovy rhythm keeps the beat flowing; someone reaches forward, turning up the volume on the TV, making Gene’s guitar boom even louder.
Ray’s voice comes in singing the verse and everyone around dances to the music.
“Should we sing along, or…?” Ray asks.
“Yeah, c’mon!” Gene says, rubbing Ray’s waist. “Let’s sing!”
Ray and Gene start singing once the chorus comes on, and soon enough, everyone does too.
He’s used to hearing a crowd sing along during live shows, but it’s much more intimate when it’s his own friends, so close and beside him.
He couldn’t have picked a better way to start the new year—singing a song he wrote with Gene, with the man himself at his side.
“I’ll shine my shoes on my own two feet—
Nothin’ can hold me down.”
Once the song ends, the people disperse.
Some still stick around to watch the rest of New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, some go back into the kitchen for more drinks, and some find their seats on the couch, the various scattered chairs, or the loveseat.
Ray is still with Gene, as always, his hand resting on Gene’s shoulder.
He debates getting another drink himself, but wonders…
maybe he doesn’t need one. He already feels pretty damn buzzed as it is.
Gene eyes the kitchen as well, but maybe Ray can convince him to head somewhere else, instead.
With the love he feels all around, the flurry of passion, the warmth that flows throughout his body, maybe Gene is feeling the same way, too.
He leads Gene over toward the stairwell to the upper level, further away from the crowd.
“You want to take a break from all the commotion, spend some time in my room?” Ray asks with a smile.
“Your room?” An adorable red blush flushes on Gene’s cheeks. “I mean, I’d love to, but…”
That ‘I’d love to’ is all Ray needs. “I don’t think anyone will mind if we go off on our own. No one’s going to think twice. Look around, everyone’s getting more and more drunk as the night goes on.” He motions toward the middle of the living room, people laughing and dancing, drinking and smoking.
“I guess so.” Gene huffs a chuckle. It’s always like this, one of them convincing the other to take a risk—Ray wearing Carol’s lingerie, Gene secretly pulling Ray into his hotel rooms, Ray kissing Gene’s cheek in the studio, Gene kissing Ray’s knuckles in front of everyone.
Back and forth, trading of control, the perfect rhythm between him and his best friend.
“Well?” Ray squeezes Gene’s shoulder.
“Okay, okay. As long as you think it’ll be fine.”
“I’m sure it’ll be.” As he says that, Santi passes by them, walking around the crowd with his lady. “Hey, Santi,” Ray half-whispers.
“Hmm?” Santi stops, holding onto his lady’s arm.
“We’re going upstairs,” Ray says, hushed. “Cover for us, will ya?”
Santi looks at Gene, then back to Ray, nodding to them both. “You have my word, carnales.”
“Thanks, man.” Ray grins. “Well, Gene?”
“Let’s go,” Gene says, giving Ray a smile meant only for him.
And so, they climb up the stairs, walking down the hallway, and head into Ray’s bedroom.
A few of his dresser drawers are open, clothing scattered all over the floor by his ex-girlfriend’s raid of the place, but that’s the least of his worries.
He’ll pick it all up later. No, instead he locks the door, turns on the lava lamp, and throws himself into Gene’s arms, their lips meeting in a kiss.
There’s no place he’d rather be.